University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa Study Abroad Center advisor Allison Yap received a Fulbright Scholarship for the U.S.-U.K. International Education Administrators Seminar held throughout England and Scotland from August 3-23, 2013.

Yap has been working at the University of Hawaiʻi of Mānoa since 1997, initially as an academic advisor, concentrating primarily on first-year students. She has been in her current position as an Assistant Faculty Specialist and Study Abroad advisor since 2003.

Yap is passionate about international education and especially loves working with Hawaiʻi students, many of whom have never left their island home. She is active in the Hawaiʻi Pacific Region of NAFSA: Association for International Educators, serving on the leadership team. While in the U.K., she explored differences in the U.S. and U.K. higher education systems, met with representatives from eleven universities throughout England and Scotland, and was able to network with other professionals in the field of international education from across the U.S.

Created by treaty in 1948, the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission is the only bi-lateral, transatlantic scholarship program, offering awards for study or research in any field, at any accredited U.S. or U.K. university. The Commission is part of the Fulbright program conceived by Senator J. William Fulbright in the aftermath of World War II to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange. Award recipients will be the future leaders for tomorrow and support the “special relationship” between the U.S. and U.K.

The Fulbright Commission selects scholars through a rigorous application and interview process. In making these awards, the Commission looks not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Program and a plan to give back to the recipient’s home country upon returning.

The Commission is funded partially by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in the U.K. and the U.S. Department of State, with additional support coming from a variety of individual and institutional partners, including many leading U.K. universities and an annual contribution from the Scottish government.